The Original 59er

'Glasgow's' doesn't ring an immediate bell, but you might be right. I had a fleeting thought it might have been called Dunlop's, but that too was just a random name that went through my old computer that is called my brain.

Time and time again all supporters see what is blatant fouling going unchecked. It is frustrating as hell and only tends to encourage vitriol and negative comments on the standard of refereeing. However you see it on the TV in England too and whilst I would say at Premiers level it is pretty well acceptable, there too you see fouls committed and going unchecked. One law I would like to see adopted in football coming from rugby is more use made of the advantage law. It has slightly crept in to football but it is almost blown up within seconds whilst in rugby it is allowed to run for a short period to see if a real advantage is gained. Too often in football if the ref allows an advantage and nothing comes of it he lets the game go one, whilst it would be better for both the fans and the team if it was brought back to the original point of the foul and a free kick awarded. I suppose my general feel is that here in Scotland we have a standard of football that is equivalent to the 3rd / 4th level in England, where there too the refereeing is seriously questionable at times.

FS, to use a well known phrase; "you can't make a silk purse out of..........................." Not saying that some tactics can't be adopted to alter what happens out on the park but if the basic confidence isn't there and the players are struggling to compete at Premiership level, there isn't a lot that the Manager can do.

Switzerland run plebiscites fairly frequently on any number of subjects. I recall one for the concept of building a motorway from Zurich out to the main airport. That was approved by the majority vote. They then held a further referendum to approve opening the said built motorway and that was turned down . In due course (of course) the said motorway was opened no doubt with a green grass strip up the middle to make everyone happy. If there was a lesson to be learned, politicians shouldn't ask the question in the first place unless they are sure they are going to get the answer they want. The politicians here asked the UK the question, not remotely thinking they would get a 'leave' answer. They asked the wrong question or questions in the first place, and therein lies their and now our problem.

As we all know, the actual question posed to the electorate was fundamentally flawed. To remind all (or even anyone sufficiently still interested to be reading this marginal thread!), the question was as follows: Should the UK remain a member of the EU or leave the EU? You were then given two choices to place your cross. The question posed was so misguided as it asked the question, but didn't remotely explain under what circumstances might you want to leave, or want to remain. As someone so aptly put it: The problem with the question The question assumes a binary choice — Remain or Leave the EU — while voting theory warns that allowing only two options can easily be a misleading representation of the real choice. When the true situation is more complex, and especially if it is one that arouses strong passions, then reducing the question to a binary one might suggest a political motivation. As a result of the present process, we actually don’t know how people would have voted when they had been offered the true options. Compare the question: ‘Do you still beat your mother ?’ When you are allowed only a Yes or No answer, then you are blocked from answering: ‘I will not answer that question because if I say No then it suggests that I agree that I have beaten her in the past.’ In the case of Brexit, the hidden complexity concerned: — Leave, and adopt an EFTA or WTO framework? — Leave, while the UK remains intact or while it splits up? — Remain, in what manner? It's a bit like asking the voting public a simple straightforward question: "Do want to go to war"? Most might say no, but behind the question could lie a plethora of reasons why it might be appropriate under certain circumstances to go to war. Given the Tories didn't think for one minute that the public would say no, they went through with the process to try and stick the knife into the moaning fringe in the party who complained about the wrongs of Europe. So having asked the flawed question, they then compounded it by then taking the narrow majority and stating it was the nation's wish to leave the EU, so that is what we will now do. Pretty obviously no Plan A, certainly no Plan B and definitely no Plan C. As far as the government have been concerned and for that matter the Labour Party also, the narrow decision of the voting public was a definitive answer, and it's only now that the terms and conditions attached to the action are nearer to being evident that questions are being raised as to a second referendum or at least a delay to the process. I say all the above as someone who in fact has been ambivalent for a long number of years about our membership of the EU. I see it as a large cumbersome undemocratic beast that centralises power between France and Germany and tends to bully a number of states if they don't comply. Bear in mind many of the countries that have adopted the € have never, ever complied with the economic tests set by the central banks of Europe and have been encouraged in, only to tie the countries closer in all respects to the central powers. We originally joined the European Economic Community for trade reasons and trade reasons alone. Tony Blair essentially sold us out and gave Europe much larger control over many aspects of our lives in the UK. I will admit some elements for the better, but also some to our detriment. So given the marginal state of the vote and also the pretty obvious splits in both the Tories and Labour and the very obvious lack of planning, it shouldn't surprise anyone that we are where we are right now, i.e. nowhere near a satisfactory solution. I'm not a betting man, but I would probably place my money on a 'no deal' being negotiated and the result will be that we will pay nothing to the EU coffers, we will have free movement across the Irish borders (but check boats and planes as they enter the mainland from Northern Ireland), and we will then have to wait to see the pressures placed on the EU bureaucrats by the various large conglomerates in Europe who want to continue with normal trading with the British public (BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Aldi, Lidl etc, etc) and in the meantime we can approach New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the US etc and we can open trade links with countries that have been up to now, basically excluded from trading with us due to major import implications. The world will not end, the EU will need to reform (as other countries have clearly shown that their voting public are now more inclined to leave than stay if remotely given the choice) and the UK will come out of this period with a quite different outlook on life..............................................................

Are you taking the p*ss here? Ooops just realised you were, hence the title!!!!

You could point a finger at Deer Stalking as a parallel and in that argument, there is what is called the 'Deer Commission' who assess the deer numbers and say how many need to be 'taken out' to properly manage numbers on the land they live on and also manage the quality of the beasts. I'm not aware of a 'Goat Commission' however, though again there might be an argument on an island that you have to manage numbers and then you get into a debate how you might manage that - I suppose shooting them becomes the favoured route as you can't really get up close and personal with a wild goat So from there it is a short step to make it into some kind of money making exercise for the land owner....................... Not condoning her actions etc, but if she hadn't been daft and kept her visual posts to just her friends, who presumably the photos were for, we would have been none the wiser.

What a cracking photo. Just behind the photographer and to his left was a chippy where I would get a bag o chips and a pickled onion for a tanner after scouts! I think the third awning along on the right was Galbraiths the general groceries store - I say Galbraiths but I might be confusing it with the fruit & veg retailer. Anyway it was where you could go in and get all your groceries for the week. They had a big old black bike that sat outside with the basket frame on the front and back for deliveries. None of this Deliveroo, or Asda / Tesco / Morrisons van nonsense!

Pick your games carefully then............. let's see, East Stirling, or Edinburgh City (that might be risky!), or your neck of the woods, Arbroath or Forfar. Hopefully we won't get 4 knocked past us by these diddy teams...............

Can I suggest that if you continue with you current season's attendance approach we are doooooomed: Games attended: Aberdeen 4-0 St Mirren Aberdeen 4-1 St Mirren At this rate if we meet them in the Cup we might have a record 20-2 aggregate hoofing. Stay away pleeeeeeaaaaase

There is only one of these photos that actually resembles a panther, i.e. the last one. What surprises me is that with all the modern technology and high definition cameras attached to phones, we still get grainy, poor, indistinct attempts at 'Big Cat' sightings The recent photo of the 'panther' loose in Ayrshire is beyond laughable. Look at the scale of the cat in relation to the two magpies. If that's a panther, I fear for my life from these pesky, giant, thieving magpies!

Thought that might draw some targets

I've been a Steely Dan fan for years and years and I see they are re-appearing in Glasgow in February. It won't be the same without Walter Becker - he added the edge to their lyrics. He has a great track called "Book of Liars" off one of his solo albums - I've met one or two burds in my life that song applies to! Ticket prices £57 to £108..................... so if you and the missus goes, you take a taxi or public transport and want to have a meal / few bevvies, you have 'invested' probably near enough £300. That's some night out in my thought processes, and one large hole in my wallet!

Not that I condone violence, you understand, but he has a face you wouldn't get tired of punching................................

I think that would be roughly between 1967 and 69.

I remember the soup machine in the swimming baths entrance, which always burnt your tongue when you tried to take the first gulp on a cold day!

I never realised Burton had a shop up the High St, I always thought they had been at Burton's Corner!

I met the PM and also someone else who was involved. When the architect came along with the original design the engineers had a look at it and said, "sorry that can't be built"..................... certainly not as you have drawn it. So they set about making it work and created a full concrete shell and then hung all the concrete planks that you see as ribbing onto stainless steel posts. each 'plank' weighs 3 tons!..................... so you won't want to be underneath that when it falls off!!!

ok I've now been and done the walk about thing, and yes you can take photos! My opinion, and it is just an opinion, is that I really welcome it and as being seen, the people are coming. This is already leading to spin offs for the hotels close by and also other museumy places - the McManus has seen a tremendous upsurge in visitors (they also have a great 'Bash Street Kids' exhibition on but I think it is just about to finish) They also have some great portraits which are as good as many in the Scottish Portrait Gallery. I like this one: I digress however................................ the V&A is obviously a museum, but as in Londonium it is random. None of this start at 5 century BC and work your way round to the present day. As an example in the Scottish Design section there is reference to the Paisley Pattern and the influence they brought to the whole design of shawls and materials. However there is also a book on American Ornithology and it tells the story of a Paisley cotton worker who fell out with the system and emigrated to the US and became the "Father of American Ornitholgy" .................... I never knew that! However just next to that is the robe worn in a recent Star Wars film, but it too has references to the Paisley Pattern: There are a lot of interesting exhibits , e.g. electronic gaming, the pushing of the envelope in the medical world and many other little curios that might take you by surprise. The exhibition of Ocean Liners is also random and harks back to a golden (and privileged) era when a few could swank about as they crossed the Atlantic. It is really good and colourful. Whether you approve of whether the toffs deserved it or not, it was a period of fantastic design. See a few examples below: It won't tick everyone's box, but from what I see, Dundee is the winner. Oh yes the building is also spectacular:

Yup though they would probably have to accept that they could never be promoted to the top league................... no doubt both would hope that they could dominate the set up with their reserve set up!

(1) - I agree with (2)- I totally agree with you on this with the add-on that they play 30 minutes extra in the original tie and then go to penalties if still undecided (3) - I don't think English League 1 would be interested - in some cases far too far to travel and Championship far too good a standard to be interested. I understand your desire to try something different, but it must be pretty marginal for both the Irish and Welsh teams currently participating however if you take the Pro 14 rugby they can make it work, but they do get crowds of 6,000+ plus they have TV agreements for that set up. (4) - I quite like what they have done with the League Cup - at least they are trying to make it more interesting than just a straight knockout - remember when it was home and away over two legs........... Na don't fancy that again. (5) - I have said for years that the top league would be miles better competitively if only the big 2 could find a more suitable platform for their supporters to vent their spleens! England won't take them now and the only hope might be a Atlantic League or a Northern Europe League, but the uefa model doesn't allow for such split offs and they would presently fight it tooth and nail. So unfortunately we are at present stuck with our ugly neighbours / sisters

Yes saw that and had the same thought. Can only be a good, positive move - plenty of good players coming out of that league and we should be looked on as a great stepping stone for any aspiring player.

There was a toy shop down towards the bottom of Cotton St (opposite the east gable of the Abbey) where I used to go and buy my airfix kits - it was located just below this photo of Gemmells Dairy. I can't remember its name, but I do remember all the bus stops on the Abbey side of the road and if I remember rightly these were some of the Glasgow buses that came along Canal St and then round by the Abbey before turning right onto Gauze St. I think that would be the Ardrossan bus, and the Gourock and Greenock via Bridge of Weir buses!

Our son was based at Lossiemouth for three years and loved it - working on the Tornadoes just before they took them out of service. Yes playing Moray is an interesting experience when the fast jets are landing or particularly on take off.

I used to cycle down to the airport and spot planes......................... yes I had an anorak, but in my defence I was probably between 7 and 12 years of age. I once went down at lunch time and sat on the Hillington Industrial Estate side of the runway next to the cemetery and an USAF Starfighter came in and landed, it was gob-smacking to say the least. It was known as the 'flying coffin' as it basically was a rocket with short stubby wings. Anyway it re-fuelled and took off - the noise was off the planet. I also saw a RAF Lightning land and take off at Renfrew - the take off was out of this world - straight along the runway then vertically straight up until it went through the clouds - it was unbelievable given the normal aircraft movements were Dakotas, Viscounts and Vanguards of British European Airways. I was a wee happy bunny that day!